Thursday, May 9th 2013

[4Dustin]

Leader of WWII

• The leader of the USSR in WWII is Joseph Stalin
• Responsible for killing around 10 million people during WWII time period.
• Infamous for his labor camps in Siberia where the death rate was very high.
• Known as a member of the original big three. (FDR, Churchill, Stalin)

Gregory Zhukov

• 5 star general for Stalin and his army.
• Known for his leadership in the battles of Leningrad and Moscow.
• Right hand man of Stalin
• Known for destroying Russian cities after they were defeated by Germany in 1941.
  • He did this so that they couldn’t:
    • Resupply
    • Get adequate winter materials.

Non-Aggression Pact

• Signed in 1939 between Germany (Nazi) and Soviet Union.
• Stated that they wouldn’t invade one another and what they would do with Poland and how they would split it up once conquered.
• Two years later in 1941, Germany invades Soviet Union in the summer.
• Thus, breaking the Non-Aggression pact.

German Invasion:

• Summer of 1941
• Thought it would be a quick and easy invasion.
• Germans didn’t bother to bring winter gear
• Many Russians were killed in this defensive struggle.
• Many historians argue that this event by Hitler lead to his demise and death in 1945.

Allies in the War:

• United States in 1941
• USSR in 1941
• Great Britain
• France

Axis Powers:

• Italy
• Germany
• USSR before 1941
• Japan

Death Tolls:

• Over 60 million people were killed, which was over 2.5% of the world population.
• 22 to 30 million military and civilian deaths for the USSR.
• This really would affect a country.

U.S and USSR Relationship

• Very unique relationship.
  • Fought together in WWI.
  • USSR was originally fighting against the Allies before joining the Allies.
  • Even though we fought on the same side doesn’t make us the best of friends.
  • In the Yalta Conference, Staling wanted to make Poland a communist country.
  • After WWII, U.S and Soviets were the two big world super powers.

Analysis of the Era

• This era was okay for the Soviets.
• Positives:
  • Able to defend themselves and with stand the German invasion.
  • With the Allies, won WWII
  • Became a world superpower.
• Negatives:
  • Lost many people in battle
  • Communism was still being used.
  • Stalin was a ruthless leader (a good one for military times though)
  • Labor camps